Ala. GOP leaders have 2nd thoughts on immigration

Some Alabama Republicans have 2nd thoughts about nation's toughest immigration law
By The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) ' Republicans who took control of the Alabama Legislature after 136 years of Democratic dominance promptly enacted the nation's toughest immigration law. But now some top GOP leaders, including the governor, are having second thoughts.

They worry that it's hurting Alabama's ability to recruit more foreign industries after a string of successes. Gov. Robert Bentley says the law needs simplifying, and he's calling foreign executives to tell them their companies are welcome in Alabama.

Republican Attorney General Luther Strange is recommending some parts be repealed and others modified.

Moneyed business interests have begun calling for revisions.

The president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which opposes the law, says public opinion started changing after two foreign workers for Honda and Mercedes were stopped by police for not carrying required residency documents.